Cigarette making machinery



June 23, 1931. w. E. MoLlNs 1,811,759

CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 23,1931. w. E. MoLlNs CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 9, 1929 4Sheets-Sheet .2

INVENTOR Jne 23, 1931. w, E. MoLlyNs 1,811,759

CIGARETTE MAKING MACY-{SINERY Filed Sept. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1' no uo oo a /m gurv O m f3 8 K) so 1.

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@im am wat -Jne 23, 1931. w. E; MoLlNs cIGAaETTE MAKING MACHINERY FiledSept. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Patented June 23, 1931 WALTEREVEBETT MOLINS, `l' DEPTFORD, LONDON. ENGLAND CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINERYg Application iiled September 9, 1929, Serial No. 891,496, and in GreatBritain September 25, 1928.

This invention. is for al cigarette making machine and relates moreparticularly to a device for automatically controlling the tobacco feedof a cigarettev making machine so as to ensure that cigarettesofconsistent weight are produced.

It has previously been proposed -to provide a weighing mechanism for useon cigarette making machines which weighs progressivelo'ly the wholeproduce of the machine, the arrangement being such that the cigarettesare continuously deposited and removed from the apparatus in units sothat a fixed quantity, for example, one hundred, is always 15 on theweighing apparatus and the variation in Weight causes a controlapparatus on the tobacco feed to operate.

It will be appreciated that with such an apparatus, the variation inweight at any 2O given period of the oncoming cigarettes is relativelysmall compared with the total mass of the weighing apparatus,andconsequently, extremely delicate Weighing apparatus is required. 1

The present invention consists of an apparatus for use on acigaretteinaking machine wherein means operable to vary automaticallythe feed of tobacco to the cigarette makingmachine is operativelyconnected to 30 a Weighing mechanism adapted to receive at intervalsbatches of cigarettes in such' a manner that variations in the weight ofthe batches of cigarettes automatically ensure variations in the feed ofthe tobacco.

One method of carrying the invention into effect comprises a device atthedelivery end of the machine for weighing cigarettes, and theapparatus is so constructed that the variation of Weight in thecigarettes delivered is caused to operate a control apparatus which inturn rregulates a variable speed drive byl which the tobacco feedingapparatus is operated.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:- Y

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a weighing apparatus constructedaccording to the invention. V

Fig.`2 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the mechanism foraltering the speed of the tobacco feed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a ortion of Fig. 2looking inthe direction o the arrow A, and

Fig. 5 is an end elevation, partly in sec- The weighing beam 1 is soarranged that when the scale pan 2 is empty, the pointer 3 is a fewdivisions below the figure required for normal Weight cigarettes, forexample, in the drawings the pointer is at 27 cigarettes per ounce, andthe cigarettes being made are 24 per ounce, this arrangement preventsunnecessary movement of the weighing beam. The `beam 1 carries aprojecting plate 4 furnished with a series of steps or surfaces 5, r6and 7 corresponding to light, normal or heavy weight cigarettes,respectively, and an empty step 4a, as hereinafter described. A feeler-8 is adapted to engage with either of the three surfaces 5, 6, and 7according tothe weight of the cigarettes in the pan. The feeler 8 ispivoted at 9, and operated by a link 10 from a lever 11 which is fixedto a second lever 12 pivoted at 24 and connected by link 13 in thecontrol mechanism shown in Figs. 2 to 5.

The cigarettes are placed in the hopper 14 of the weighing apparatus andfed out from the hopper Vby the luted drum 15 and discharged into thepan 2 when the machine is operated.-

The uted drum 15y is driven through a awl and ratchet wheel, asdescribed in U. S. application, Serial No. 137,715 and the apparatus isstarted by allowing the lever16 to lift in the manner hereinafterdescribed and subject to the control of the hand operated latch 17. Alink 18 connects the lever 16 to a lever 19 which is fixed to the stopspindle 20 which corresponds to the spindle 48 in the above mentioned U.S. application.

A spring 21 is {ixed to a point on the tpindle 2O and tends to pull thelink 18 epwardly and start Vthe apparatus as soon as the spindle 2O isfree to niove. A lug 22 is also titted to the spindle 20. This lugisengaged by one end oi a lever 23, pivoted at 2li :so that it can nieveindependently of levers 1l and l2, and connected by a link 25 to thecontrol apparatus shown in Figs. 2 to After the cigarettes have beenweighed they are automatically discharged troni the pan 2 by a mechanism(not shown) on to a travelling` belt 2G troni which they are relnoved bythe machine operator.

Referring to Figs. 2 to 5; 27 is a control shaflt carrier in bearings 28and connected at one end to a variable speed gear 'which drives thetobacco hopper so that rotation ol" the sha 2' in either direction willregulate the gear and alter the speed ot the tobacco :feedingvapparatne, and consequently, the aniount oli tobacco delivered perminute by the saine. The rotation ot the shaftt 27 in either directionis controlled from the weighing apparatus in a nianncr to be hereinailter oescribwfl. Tiro Worniu'heels 29, 3() are loosely inounted onthe control shaft 27 and are driven in opposite directions by Worms 31and 32 which are continuously driven in the direction oit the arrows bysprockets 33, the direction of 'the sprocket chain being indicated bythe lines 34. The Worinwheel 29 is provided With a large bose or diec35, the leriphery o'l` which ie formed into cani surfaces of varyingradii indicated in Figure l; by reference characters 35a', 355, and 35e.The wornnvhcel 30 is also provided with a large bose 3G. Each'bosscarries a driving paWl 37 and a catch pawl 3S as shown clearly in Figs.4 and 5, and the Working ends ot the two pairle are drawn together bysprings 39.

Tivo ratchetwheels l0 are lreyed to the Shaft 27 adjacent to the bossesZ135 and 3G carrying the pavfls o7 and the latter are adapted to drirethe ratchet wheels when Ythe pawls 37 are released by the catch pawls38. Each catch paul 3S is 'furnished With a caln roller L tl and eachdriving Vpar-.fl is furnished with a similar roller 42. A cani ehatt 43is carried in a bearing; 4.4 above the control shaft 27, as Shown inFigs. 2, 4f and 5.

The can] shaft l' has tivo flat surfaces 4.3, /lt at the ends oli theenlarged portion and partial rotation of the cani Shaft 43 will bringeither the Hat surfaces into such a position that it will clear theroller 411 on its appropriate catch paivl 238 as the, pmvls are rotatedby the Worniivhees.

lVhen either of* the catch pawls 38 is operated by etrilrina thecircular portion ot the cani shaft it is -aused to nieve about its pivotl17 out of contact vith the ot the pairl 37, and the latte sprin in`under the action of' the spring` 39 and drives its ratchet Wheel. Stopcams 48 are fitted on the control shaft 27, and when the pawl 37 hasrotated about a quarter of a revolution, (for example) the roller I1-2engages with the nose of the cain 418 which causes the driving end ofthe paWl 37 to come out oit contact with the ratchet teeth and cease todrive the ratchet vrheel. Sii'nultaneously the catch paivl 38 springs inagain and retains the paivl 37 in its inoperative position until itagain operated.

The stop cams i8 are carried on the hubs of bevel ralieels 49 which arepartly rotated by another bevel 50 which secured to a movable quadrantplate 51, the latter being locked in position by lneans ot a stud on theiixed bar 52, 'thus a'ording the operator ineens i'or altering theposition ot the stop Canis, and consequently, altering the amount o'lrotation imparted to the ratchet wheels by each movement ol theapparatus.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the boss of the ivmfinu'heel 2S) is providedwith cam surfaces 35a, 357, and A roller 58 carried on a lever 51E;pivoted at is capable of engaging with said cam surfaces as hereinafterexplained. A link 5G connects the lever to another lever 57 fixed on thecare shaft 113.

Referring to Fig. 5; it will be seen that the cani shaft 13 has a lever58 fixed thereon having a` spring at one end and two steps G0 and G1torn'ied on the opposite arm of the lever. Another lever 62 is fixed onthe cam naait and connected by the link 2: to the lever 23 ot theWeighing apparatus. l A bell crank lever G3 pivoted at (itis connectedto the link 13 which in turn is connected to the lever 12 of theWeighingT apparatus and the other end of the bell crank i.

lever 63 is termed into a paivl 65.

rlhe operation oit the apparatus is tollows:-

The rotation of the Worin Wheel 29 canoes the cani to revolve, theportion 35"' ot tho cam in turn causing; the cam shaft f1.3 to rotateslightly through the medium of the levers 54 and 57 and link 56.

This action causes the :stepped lever :78 to be lifted free ot the pawlG5 or. the bell crank 63, and at the earne time the lever (i2 operatesthe lever 23, Fig. 1, through the linli 25 and releases the lug 22 sothat the spring; 21 causes the Yspindle 20 to partly rotate providedthat the operator has tripped the latch 17 to permit 'he spring' 21 tolitt the link 18 which in turn lifts the starting lever 1G and Startsthe Weighing apparatus. This motion is, however, prevented unless theoperator liii'ts the latch 17 and permits the lever 1G to rise, andconsequently, the control apparatus is ineffective unless the operatorWishes to effect a` Weighing operation. In order that the operator shalleil'ect Weighing operations at suitable intervals,

a. cam 66 is provided.(see Fig. 3) on the worm 30 and is adapted tooperate a signal, for example, a gong mechanism (not shown). When theweighing apparatus is started, the cigarettes are fed out from thehopper by the drum 15 which has, for example, 25 flutes, and thecigarettes are delivered from the fiuted drum into the pocket 68, Fig.1, and subsequently the batch of 25 cigarettes is deposited in the scalepan 2 when the lid of the pocket 68 is automatically lifted.

The beam of the Weighing apparatus then rotates and one or other of thesurfaces 5, 6 or 7 will come beneath the feeler 8 which has been liftedclear of the plate 4 from the position shown in the drawings by theymovement of the levers 11 and 12 from the link 10, Vthe lever. 12havingl been lifted by the lever 23 through the medium of a projectingpin 69 (Fig. '1). These preliminary movements are effected by theportion 35 of cam 35. The scale is then free to move until it acquires abalance. While'tlie scale is coming to rest the continuing rotation ofthe cam 35 brings the cam surface 355 under the roller 53 so that thelever 54 is permitted to drop slightly. This causes a slight swinging ofthe lever 23 through the medium of the link 25. In the meantime,thelever 16, link 18, and lug 22 have been reset in their initialpositions against the action of the spring 21 by suitable mechanismsuchas is disclosed in application Serial No. 137,715 hereinbefore referredto and the slight movement of the lever 23 as the roller 53 drops ontothe cam surface 35?) is sufficient to prevent the lug 22 from againswinging to the left from the position in which it is shown in Figure 1of the drawings. Further rotation of the fluted drum 15 by inadvertentoperation of the lever 17 is therefore prevented in order that a secondweighing operation may not be initiated until the completion of thefirst weighing operation.

In Fig. 5 the bell crank lever 63 is shown in the position correspondingto normal weights, whereas if the cigarettes were heavy the lever 63would rotate in a clockwise direction, or if light,^in an anti-clockwisedirection so that in the former case the pawl would be beneath thesurface 61 of the lever 58, or in the latter case would be quite free ofthe lever 58. Further rotation of the cam 35 causes the lever 58 to goback to its original position. Y

It may ybe noted that sulicient clearance must be provided between thecooperating parts so that the pawl 65 is permitted to swing tothe leftto the position determined by the feeler 8 without' interfering with thesimultaneous rotation of the lever 58.

It will be seen, therefore, that the position of the shaft 43 has beendetermined by the position of the pawl 65 which is in turn determined bythe position of the weighing arm, and consequently vby the weight of thecigarettes. f

The cam shaft 43 will then operate either of the catch pawls 38 if thecigarettes vary from normal, or if the cigarettes are of the weightrequired, neither catch pawl will be operated. i

In theformer case, one the driving pawls 37 will sprin inwardly andcommence to drive its articular ratchet wheel until it is removed romcontact with the same by one of the stop cams 48.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the principleof the invention, for instance, a device may be arranged adjacent to theapparatus on the cigarette makingl machine which deflects the cigarettesfrom the direction of the rod into a direction at right angles thereto,which is operable periodically to deiiect a predetermined number ofcigarettes, for example 25, into a compartment from which they areautomatically deposited'as a batch into the pan of the weighing machine,thus renderl.

ing the whole apparatus purely automatic. Or again, the variable speedgear, previously mentioned, may be used to alter the speed of a portionof the tobacco feed, for example, the picker roller.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis 1. In apparatus for use on a cigarette making machine, thecombination with Weighing apparatus, of mechanism for dei livering abatch of cigarettes comprising a predetermined number from the machineto said Weighing apparatus, and means operatively associated withsaidweighing apparatus for controlling the feed of tobacco /in the machine.

2. AIn apparatus for use on a cigarette making machine, the combinationwith Weighing apparatus, of mechanism for delivering a batch ofcigarettes comprising a predetermined number from the machine to saidweighing apparatus, and means actuated by said apparatus to apredetermined extent only on the completion of the Weighing operationfor controlling theV feed of tobacco in the machine. i Y 3. In apparatusfor use on a cigarette maklng machine, the combination with means forcontrolling the feed of tobacco inV the machine, of an independentWeighing apparatus, and mechanism associated with said control meansforfeeling said apparatus after `the latter has come to rest to initiateoperation of said control means.

4.111 apparatus for use on a cigarette making machine, the combinationwith means for controlling the feedof tobacco in the machine, ofk anindependent weighing apparatus, mechanism associated With said controlmeans for feeling said apparatus after the latter has come to rest tcinitiate ope ation of said control means, and means for automati iallyterminating operation et said control means on completion el operationthereof to a deiinite and predetermined extent.

In a )paratus Yfor use on a cigarette making machine, the con'ibinationwith means tor contr )lling the ieed oit tobaco in the machine, o? auindependent neiohing,V apparatus, mechani asser-iat with id controlmeans for feeling;` .faid appara us after the latter has come t r :t Atoinitiat"c positie directions, an pparaus, and mechanism arranged toeiikjagic said apnaratus ait! ter the latter has come to rest onconipiction o t' a weighing oper; tion. to select and render operativeeither ot said separate me;

T. In a measuring' devi the comb with controi meats movable in ddirections, o an indcjieudent weights pa atus, and means movable toengagea apparatus 'the latter has come to rest en compl' ion oi a`chaining operation tor "lcctircly moving; said control i'ieans in oneectioin 8. In apl'iaratus for use in cigarette malii ng machines, Ythccon'ibination with Weighing' appa'atus, oi a control shaft rotatable inopposite directions to vary the density of cigarettes produced by thei'uachine, separate means continuousiy rotating in opposite apsaiddirections, and means :ctnated by said weigliiag apparatus forconnecting either of said means to said shaft.

9. In apparatus for use in cigarette maiif.' machines, the combinationwith weighingI apparatus, oit a control shaft rotatable in oppositedirections 'to vary Jhe density of cigarettes produced by the machine,means ifo-r del f' ring' a predetermined number of cigarettes to saidappa mtas, separate means continuously retmtingl in opposite directions,:nid means actuated by saidV Weighing/iY apparatus for i -d means:onnectinp either oi sha'tt :tor a prI `etermiiied interval to .id

l0. In apparatus for controliing the consistency ol the output oi. acigarette making` machine, the combination Wim a Weighing' apparatnf'sarranged 'tcreceive and Weigh a deinito number of 'the cigarettesproduced, means for controlling' the feed o'i tobacco in the machine,mechanism for causing actuation of said control means, a member hav-`ing stepped surfaces movable by said weighing apparatus to an extentdepending upon the Weight of the cigarettes supplied thereto, and meansforming a part o't said mechanism and movable in a direction transverseto the path of movement ot' said member into contact with one of saidstepped surfaces.

ll. In appa atus for controlling the cousistlncy ot the output o't acigarette making machine, the combination with a weighing apparatusarranged to receive and weigh a 'ielinite number et the cigarettesproduced, n eans 'tor controlling the feed oi' tobacco in the machine,mechanism 'for causing actuation olf said control means, a pivoted armarranged to be swunby by said weighinp` apparatus to an extentdependincy upon the Weight of the cigarettes supplied. thereto, said armhaving stepped surfaces thereon, and a lever forming` a part ot saidmechanism and movable by the latter into engagement with one ol saidstepped surfaces.

l2. In apparatus for use in cigarette mali in machines, the combinationwith weipgliintg,v appa "atas, of ay control shaitt rotatable inopposite directions to vary the density of cigarettes produced by themachine, separate means continuously rotating,- in opposite directions,means movable to positions intercepting the path of movement of aportion of either ot said separate rotating m bans to connect the sameto the shaft, and mechanism associated With said Weighing-f appar; tusfor determining the position ot said means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflx my signature.

WALTER EVERETT MOLINS.

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